Ceramic coat or not?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Whether he sells a wax product or not, his assessment is dead balls accurate. He even implied that if he were doing this on a brand new daily driven car he’d go ceramic coating.

Unlike a lot of the misleading ceramic coat detailer and manufacturers that makes ceramic coating sound like the greatest product ever and has absolutely zero drawbacks, this guy is brutally honest.

Based on my understanding, this video is about as honest as it gets. And that’s saying something.

Outside of a few dopes, does anyone really think any protection product is apply and forget? Ceramic coating or full vinyl wraps still swirl, scratch, etc. I doubt anyone who's ever done a full detail wouldn't expect that.

I guess I just didn't hear anything in that video that sounded like news. Just a guy peddling wax, really, really slowly.

[Alfisti]

Honestly for a car you're going to drive even semi-regularly, it's all pointless, you will spend a fortune to keep it looking good.

[Hammer Werke]

Ceramic sounds interesting but after listening to that super smart sounding German dude break it down....I'm happy waxing Its a good workout and I like how they smell.

Carnuba if you just want to show off the paint. Natural deep gloss but a bit of a pain with dust attraction.
Syntetics...more durability and ease of application.

[Ralph335]

If you are lazy and don't want to wax all the time, by all means go ceramic.
But it's not a magical product. Paint protection film is a much better choice if you are really looking to protect the paint.

I have a 2 year coating on my car and just appreciate that I don't have to bust out the wax every 2 months.

[cxp213]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Outside of a few dopes, does anyone really think any protection product is apply and forget? Ceramic coating or full vinyl wraps still swirl, scratch, etc. I doubt anyone who's ever done a full detail wouldn't expect that.

I guess I just didn't hear anything in that video that sounded like news. Just a guy peddling wax, really, really slowly.

Yep, agreed. That video was useless and offered nothing new.

[Never_Enough]

F it, I'll do the usual clay, polish, wax & seal. Might get it started tonight

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

F it, I'll do the usual clay, polish, wax & seal. Might get it started tonight

In one of those Ammo NY detailing video on detailing mistakes.
At the 1:22 mark he mentions claying.

Just make sure you really need to clay or spot clay.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by cxp213

Yep, agreed. That video was useless and offered nothing new.

The point he makes about the permanent nature of the coating and to how high a degree to which paint correction need to before affixing a nano-quartz coating - is rather important and not so obvious.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

In one of those Ammo NY detailing video on detailing mistakes.
At the 1:22 mark he mentions claying.

Just make sure you really need to clay or spot clay.

No CA duster now? We'd all be washing our cars daily then

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

The point he makes about the permanent nature of the coating and to how high a degree to which paint protection need to before affixing a nano-quartz coating - is rather important and not so obvious.

Not trying to be (too) pedantic, but guys applying a ceramic coating by themselves don't seem like the sort to just toss their NuFinish aside and hit the internet for the latest and greatest.

I'd guess nearly anyone undertaking the process is fully familiar with things like Iron X, multiple polishing pad finishes and countless polishes, glazes and such. If Target or Pep Boys were pushing stuff, I'd give more credence to the Swiss Bore, but he's just pushing his own pricey solution over another.

[Bruuuce]

I just ceramic coated the M2.

Used Mckees37 product.

FWIW, super easy to apply, easier than wax. Polled does not stick to the surface.

If it lasts 2-3 times as long as wax, I'm happy.

I have not had to wash it for a couple months, the rain takes care of that.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Should I ceramic coat my Hellcat? If so, should I do it myself?

Tips/tricks? Which product(s)?
If I have a shop do it, how much should I expect to pay?
Any shop recommendations in the Chester County, PA area that are not Oakes?

Kamikaze Miyabi Coat !

[louielouie]

Yes, you should ceramic coat your car but unless you're familiar with paint correction you should hire someone to do it. Like others have said, the ceramic coat application process is simple and only takes 45 minutes, but there's several hours of paint correction before it should be applied.

[cxp213]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

The point he makes about the permanent nature of the coating and to how high a degree to which paint correction need to before affixing a nano-quartz coating - is rather important and not so obvious.

Regarding the part about "how high a degree to which paint correction is need[ed]," it's the same exact process for waxes. He was simply stressing the importance of making everything perfect because if you find imperfections after the coating, you won't be able to address it easily or right away like you'd be able to with wax without sanding off the semi-permanent coating you just applied.

Also, it's not "permanent" but more semi-permanent as it does wear off over time. Additionally, if you're coating something with a product that is supposed to be semi-permanent, it's common sense that anything underneath will be "trapped," so if there are imperfections or debris, it'll be sealed under it. Do people really need this to be drawn out for them?

I guess if there's one take away, it's that he mentions that the ceramic coating will need to be sanded down, which is almost never advertised and seldom mentioned by those selling ceramic coating.

[ksoze]

The fact that the ceramic coating can only be removed via wet sanding should say something about its function and durability compared to waxes.

[Never_Enough]

Cleaned, polished & sealed.

[overcoil]

That Dodge is great looking

[spazzz]

Lordy Lordy thats a nice car.

I just realized you are the OP. If you got the gear and already polish why would you pay a shop to coat your car?
You just did all the hard work. Optimum Gloss Coat is stupid easy to apply.
If you have to correct a spot after it's on, whip out the polisher and correct the spot. No big deal to recoat just that spot.

I put it on a section, give it a bit to flash and wipe to smooth any high spots.
Stays cleaner, attracts less dust and washing is much quicker.
Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant is the business on black.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by spazzz

Lordy Lordy thats a nice car.

I just realized you are the OP. If you got the gear and already polish why would you pay a shop to coat your car?
You just did all the hard work. Optimum Gloss Coat is stupid easy to apply.
If you have to correct a spot after it's on, whip out the polisher and correct the spot. No big deal to recoat just that spot.

I put it on a section, give it a bit to flash and wipe to smooth any high spots.
Stays cleaner, attracts less dust and washing is much quicker.
Wolfgang deep gloss paint sealant is the business on black.

Used the usual Klasse polish & sealant

[BSMF87]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Me too. Only reason I'm considering it is to prevent swirls

A ceramic coating will not prevent swirls

[TonkaM6]

I had mine done from new here in the UK. Cost £795 (approx $1100) inside and out with wheel protection and it comes with 5 year warranty. It took 4 days to complete, I consider it well worth the money.

[spazzz]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Used the usual Klasse polish & sealant

Oh, that kind of polish.